If large nations adopt a “might is right” approach, it would severely undermine the international order and allow the law of the jungle to reign once more, warned Wang in a subtle critique of the US, which has been trotting out expansionist rhetoric under President Donald Trump.
“Major powers, in particular, should lead by example in upholding integrity and the rule of law, opposing double standards and selective application, and should never engage in bullying, market manipulation, or plunder,” said Wang, who is China’s top diplomat by virtue of his concurrent position as head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of China’s Communist Party.
Wang’s pitch was carefully crafted to win over countries by portraying itself as a benign, international player, as opposed to an increasingly unilateral Washington that has been pulling out of international outfits and agreements, analysts have said.
Observers further noted that his remarks were likely spurred by Washington’s increasingly hardline stance on Ukraine – such as a suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing – and its growing alignment with Russia.
During the press conference that also touched on topics like Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Global South, Wang hit out directly at the US for not behaving as a major power in their worsening trade war.
“The United States should not repay kindness with resentment, nor should it impose tariffs without reason. This is not the behaviour of a responsible major power,” he said.
The US has imposed a cumulative 20 percent tariff on all Chinese goods, citing Beijing’s alleged inaction over fentanyl flows. China has hit back with retaliatory duties, of which the latest – targeting American farm products – took effect on Monday.
MAINTAINING DOMESTIC STABILITY
At the same time, policymakers saw that efforts to ensure stability at home continued apace – intensifying efforts to combat crime, corruption, and threats to public order.
Telecom scams – with Chinese nationals among the perpetrators and victims – ranked among the top concerns, as laid out in the work reports by China’s top prosecutorial and judicial bodies, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) and the Supreme People’s Court (SPC).
Chinese courts handled approximately 40,000 cases of telecom and online fraud in 2024, a sharp 26.7 per cent rise from the previous year.
Authorities have ramped up efforts to dismantle cross-border criminal networks, particularly those operating out of Myanmar. According to the SPC, these cases involved 82,000 defendants.
Meanwhile, the SPP reported charging 78,000 individuals, marking a 53.9 percent surge in prosecutions.
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